Nelsons suffers concussion, cancels Tanglewood appearance

The Boston Symphony Orchestra can’t seem to catch a break with the health of their music directors—even before they officially start the job.

Andris Nelsons, the BSO’s music director designate, suffered a concussion due to a household accident in Bayreuth and has cancelled his sole Tanglewood appearance of the summer, scheduled for Saturday.

The Latvian conductor was hit on the head by a door that was quickly opened at his residence in Bayreuth, where he is conducting Lohengrin at the summer festival. He is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

“His doctors report that he is expected to make a full recovery,” said BSO managing director Mark Volpe in a statement, adding, “but, as always with concussions, Mr. Nelsons has been strongly advised to take time out of his work schedule and not travel by plane at all at this time. It is therefore with a heavy heart that he is forced to withdraw from his Tanglewood performance.”

“Truly, I feel a great sense of sadness at not being able to come to Tanglewood this week to conduct the Verdi Requiem and to spend time amongst our great musical family, including Tanglewood’s wonderfully supportive audience,” said Nelsons in a statement released by the BSO.

“I will miss you all and am very sorry indeed that this very unfortunate accident prevents me from being there. I am grateful to be receiving the best possible medical attention and am currently resting well. I promise I will recover as soon as possible and very much look forward to coming back in good shape for my performances with the orchestra in October in Boston.”

The BSO suffered scores of cancellations and much upheaval in the past decade during James Levine’s tenure as music director due to repeated illnesses, ailments and surgeries.

Nelsons is slated to take the reins of the BSO with the start of the 2014-15 season.